Christmas Fruit Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 oz mixed dried fruit
3 oz dried cranberries
1/3 cup brandy or sherry
3.5 oz candied cherries
1 cup butter, chopped, at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 None eggs
1 None orange, zested
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
None None slivered almonds, to decorate

Preparation

Combine dried fruit and brandy. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 3 hours, or overnight. Mix in cherries.
Preheat oven to 300\u00b0F. Lightly grease an 8 inch square cake pan. Line base and sides with 2 layers of parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add fruit and orange zest. Combine flour, baking powder and spices. Add 1/2 flour mixture then 1/2 orange juice and walnuts. Fold in remaining flour, juice and nuts. Transfer to prepared pan, smooth top and decorate with almonds.
Bake for 2 hours 30 mins, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover with tea towels and allow to cool completely.